Monday Morning Blooms: Roses & Hope Now song by Addison Road

Posted on by Prior...

A little floral lift today:

Cut flowers have been on a “blow out” sale this September and so we have enjoyed a few different bundles. Mostly multi-colored roses, but if you scroll down – then you can see some sunflowers too.  I have always known that flowers offer a lift, yet I was reminded again this month as I walked by the various arrangements. Such a simple joy. Reminded me of the Lady Byrd Johnson quote, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” 

In August, we watched the documentary American Tragedy (Amazon Prime), which was a short film about Sue Klebold, the mother of Dylan – who was one of the Columbine shooters in April 1999.

It was a pleasant surprise to find that a good portion of the film advocated for mental health initiatives and showed how Sue, and others, have been advocating for teaching wellness skills to young children. Sue noted that her son “was suicidal before he was homicidal” and then she went on to talk about helping people find their hope and noted the importance of suicide prevention talks “before they are needed.”  She noted that she had talked to her children about many topics (business, school, STDs, finances, etc.) but never imagined the need to address suicide.

When we started watching the documentary, we thought it was going to be a heavy movie, but it was not; instead, it was uplifting and we had a lot of respect for Sue Klebold and the work that she has done to help raise awareness about wellness education. 

I was really taken back by so much of what she shared. In fact, it also provided me with a nice affirmation.  Many readers know about the book “Lady by the River” (here). This book turns five years old in November and so I am getting ready to make an audio track of the book. I have not decided how I want this to unfold, but as I looked over the chapters this summer, I paused at the wellness poems and tips at the end of the book.

Did you know that one reviewer took off a star because she felt that those sections were extraneous??  On one hand, I agreed with her. On the other hand, I knew the extras NEEDED to be there. Just felt it all along.

The book was birthed to help an actual “lady by the river” (someone miserable and broken) and the reason I added the tips for wellness was to offer potential resources for her and anyone else that might need them. 

Anyhow, after watching American Tragedy, I was proud of the extras in the book. Make that – I was extra proud to have left them in there – even if they were annoying to some readers.  

And just FYI – here is the number for The Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

The Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress – and offers resources for anyone struggling or for those trying to help someone in need.

 

Yesterday, I finally had the chance to enjoy some blog time. I soaked up some great posts. 

One of the first posts I read was “NEVER GIVE UP ON HOPE” (here) from blogger Bruce Stambaugh @RoadkillCrossings.  Here is the ending of his post:

 

I am not sure where this post finds you today. You might be having a sweet September or it could be a struggling kind of swampy month.  If you need a little cheer, I suggest reading uplifting material for two straight hours and see how that makes you feel.  Bring every thought captive and seriously, watch what you camp on in your mind – stop ruminating on the heavy because it will make you feel down.

And if you have time, check out the American Tragedy documentary because it sure does move the soul.  When Sue Klebold said she could not even put her socks on and shared about her recovery after the horrific thing her son had done, well it leaves you changed – and changed for the better. 

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Closing song, “Hope Now” by Addison Road

 

 

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#FOTD

Monthly Color Challenge#Gold

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51 thoughts on “Monday Morning Blooms: Roses & Hope Now song by Addison Road”

  1. Moving post in so many ways! Such beautiful roses, how can you not SMILE! I will have to check out American Tragedy documentary. Mental health is so important and I know first hand being a daughter of a psychiatrist. But it’s a struggle in this country in so many ways. Thanks for sharing your book you had a hand in writing!! That’s so AWESOME! I’ll have to check that out too. Have a wonderful week! ❤️🌸🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello Diana – thanks for taking the toke to read – and I was really surprised by the whole approach they took in the documentary – so much more than her story. I guess she has a popular Ted talk and I might check that out later this fall.
      Keep me posted if you watch it ☀️☀️☀️

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Your first bunch of roses are so vibrant, Yvette. I had no idea where you were taking us with this post, but the thought of my son being involved in an incident like this… I don’t know how I’d cope. I think I’d be dragged over the edge of the abyss..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Jo!
      That first photo is a fav of mine – also – thanks for reading! I never imagined I would write very much in this post because i was already chatty in the previous post for the lens artist artificial light!
      However – it flowed from my heart and I stayed up a little late to follow the idea trail (which I hardly do anymore because really trying to draw boundaries with time spent on blog and all that ) and so I am glad it unfolded well – and that lady Sue Klebold sure has a story to tell and a mission for her life.
      Hope your week is off to a nice start

      Like

  4. Wonderful post Yvette bringing hope Amd understanding to the unthinkable that is so precedent in our world today!
    I love your book and keeping those references in is truly important! The movie sounds important. To see and your book a treasure!!! Beautiful roses too 🌹🌹🌹🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Cindy and as far as books go – I do think there is a time when less is more! Like when you and I chatted about how many poems in the typical book 📚
      And I know some Seth Godin books have a charm because of the minimal approach to each page – and so at times over the five years – as the editor – i did occasionally question the inclusion of the last few chapters. But will never again! So keep that in mind as your first book draft starts to take shape – go with your gut on what you want that table of contents to include!!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. What a lovely uplifting post, Yvette. Hope is so important. It has bloomed alongside the flowers in your post. Thank you.
    Good on you for standing by what you thought was right in publishing your book.

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    1. That was so nice to read Norah – that hope bloomed in the post (oh so cool to read that) and this post did unfold with little planning so I am grateful that it came together in the way it did!
      And as writers – you know we just do what we gotta do each season! Hah

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello! It sounds like your sister had invested in her children with some edifying practices
      And in my experience – sometimes the two most abusive practices come from teachers and from Christian parents. Not hanging anybody out to dry here – but many teachers do not realize how cold and aloof they become managing herds of children through demanding schedulers and objectives – and then many Christian parents misunderstand Bible text and beat their children or become so harsh thinking it is going to “ruin” them if they don’t (but the verse that says spare the rod or spoil the child” is better translated as “spare the direction and leave the child wanting it in dire need)
      One of my fifty cent books last year was one from Dr Phil and he talked about a “defining moment was when a middle school teacher was so rough with him!

      In closing – all that to say I really love the idea of meditation rather than detention

      And our harsh penal system for youth offenders also needs to be looked at!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. First of all, your florals are gorgeous and definitely uplifting, Yvette. The fact that they are discounted is always a great thing. Your post illuminates so many important concepts about mental health. We all suffer ups and downs and perhaps the downs may not be a result of a serious mental health issue, but those can open the door to something in the future. I think the media has done a better job over time of negating to some degree the stigma of a mental health affliction. Better to accept a condition and treat it rather than ignoring the vague symptoms. I didn’t realize you had published a book and kudos for sticking with it and now make an audiobook of it. Thank you for sharing for Sunday Stills and have a wonderful week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Help Terri / thanks for the comment – and the lady by the river book was a team effort with other writers and observed as editor so trhay is how I was able to pack in those extra chapters – hahaha
      And really agree with You about how “the downs may not be a result of a serious mental health issue, but those can open the door to something in the future.”
      We have gotten better in some stress
      But we know what to do if someone has a broken leg or arm is in a sling – and we need more skills and resources to help (or cope) with injuries that are not visible –
      Transkei again and hope your week is off to a nice start

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Lovely flowers and thanks for the info on the documentary. I always think that hope is what makes us get out of bed in the morning – hope to be a better person or to help someone else. As far as your book having extras with resources – you can’t please all the people all of the time, and you may have made a difference in someone’s life. Good post.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Judy! That is so true about how we cannot please everyone – and if we tried to please everyone – well our essence gets lost and everyone would lose 😉
      But I guess there were times when I second guessed the extras but really feel settled about it
      Have a nice day and thanks for the feedback

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Everything about flowers, from the choosing or picking to the placing them in a vase to passing by a room and seeing them . . . yes, it is good mojo.

    As for Sue Klebold, I am always amazed at how people can do that. Become educators after something so horrible. To have that kind of inner strength is, it’s just wow. And the lessons are many, if we don’t close our minds to them. As I wrote once about these mass shootings, we turn the kids who do them into monsters without considering what led up to it. Sadly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You cover so many topics in your blog posts and you are so right that we gloss over what contributed or less up to the act.
      A while ago I heard that most mass shooters have also been on multiple prescription drugs / ones with the many warnings of side effects/ but that is a topic for another time –
      Thanks for your comment M
      😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s true. These people have gone through hell and we never stop to think about their lives because it’s a matter of blaming anyone who was associated with the perpetrators.

        And you are correct, and yes, society doesn’t want to talk about it most of the time.

        Thank you Yvette

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Thanks for sharing the story about Sue Klebold and the photos are lovely. I think reading or watching uplifting things is so important because most news is depressing or worse. It would be fun to see if all news outlets could come up with a positive story for every negative/downer one and I don’t mean which celebrity wore what. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  14. The roses are perfect Yvette, just perfect – it made you feel good to see and smell them, so yes … go for it! I like the quote you gave us from Lady Bird Johnson. That is interesting about the video by Dylan Klebold’s mother. I would like to see what Sue has said so put it on my watchlist. The music was uplifting as well. A perfect post for a Monday to get out week started off right!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Linda !
      The only time I have had more fresh flowers around the house has been after a funeral when someone had way too many flowers sent!
      And really enjoyed your feedback and please let me know if you get to watch the show – it was not at all what I expected – such a well
      Done film

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The roses were velvety looking Yvette. I went to the Henry Ford Estate Rose Garden in Dearborn, Michigan that Henry Ford had commissioned for his wife Clara almost a century ago. I took a lot of photos and will use them sometime this Winter. I’ve gone there for three different seasons, but I am just behind in posting photos. They had 38 lilac bushes, all in bloom in Spring. Then all these gorgeous roses in Summer. As for the show, I went to Amazon and went to click “watchlist” and it was already there. So perhaps I saw it advertised and forgot. I need more RAM space in my brain these days. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That is awesome that the show was in your list already!
          And the roses from the classic Ford garden will make a great winter post – or anytime really but especially then!

          Liked by 1 person

        2. I must have seen it advertised on the site. For a while I used to go somewhere on Amazon to see what new movies would debut that month, but I keep forgetting to do that. I could spend 24 hours a day on social media, etc. and still not catch up!

          Liked by 1 person

  15. The photographs of the roses are uplifting. The colors are stunning.
    Recently, I heard that more flowers have been purchased. They said it could be because of the many
    who have died from Covid. I’d like to think it’s because people want to see something uplifting.
    I will watch the American Tragedy. I have a sister and grandson who committed suicide. Mental Health
    is a topic I know. I advocate for them since people don’t accept that it;s a disease the person has.
    Thank you for your tender approach to the subject, Yvette. Great post …Be Safe 😷
    Isadora 😎

    Like

    1. Hi – thanks for sharing about your advocacy and if you have any resources –
      please let me know because I just mentioned it again in my post this weekend (here)
      It was unplanned but flowed so naturally – and considering suicide is the
      10th leading cause of death in the US – well I am glad I had the chance to post about it this month
      (and I guess September 10th was national suicide awareness day – and info for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) https://afsp.org
      please let me know if you have any top resources and I will add them to that post

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’ve listed the two that I know. They’re great organizations. It’s a hidden subject that people don’t want to discuss. There seems to be a shame about it. It should be something that is talked about more. Thank you, Yvette for the posts you’ve done and adding the links. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

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